Psychological effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic on medical students: A national cross-sectional survey of Mainland China

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the psychological effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak on medical students in China. METHODS: In February 2020, an online survey was performed using a WeChat app with an online survey program to collect and analyze the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on the mental health of medical students across China. RESULTS: Overall, 757 medical students responded to the survey. About 2.24% reported middle and high levels of anxiety since the COVID-19 outbreak began, and 14.40% reported middle and high levels of depression. Bachelor's students and those whose residence registration was located in a rural area were more likely to have anxiety and depression, compared with postgraduates and students whose residence registration location was an urban area, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 epidemic is associated with a low but real rate of psychological trauma in the medical students of China, and protective programs are needed to lessen this adverse effect.